School Policies and Procedures - Attendance/Absences/Withdrawals
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential to academic success. Although the teachers are responsible for reporting daily attendance, the staff of AHS is not responsible for students reporting to class. It is the responsibility of the student and ultimately their legal sponsor that they come to class every day prepared to learn.
Excessive Absences or Truancy
In cases of excessive absences or truancy by students:
- the sponsor will be notified.
- If the problem persists, subsequent notification to Family Advocacy, Social Services, the sponsor’s command or employer agency may follow.
- In addition, the student will be subject to consequences as prescribed by the Parent Student Handbook discipline section.
Classification of Absences
All absences from class are classified as Excused or Unexcused. To be classified as Excused an absence must be due to one of the following circumstances:
- Death in the immediate family
- Illness, medical, or dental examination or treatment
- Educational activities approved in advance by the school administration.
- An emergency.
Students who have multiple absences within one marking period or are tardy to school excessively will be referred to the administration for discipline.
Excessive absences can result in loss of credit for the class(es) even if a passing grade is earned.
Note: Family trips for extended periods of time (more than 3 school days) are vehemently discouraged during the academic school year. These usually have a most harmful effect on the students’ academic performance regardless of any efforts to make up work by the student or the teacher.
Return from Absence
- Within a day of a student’s return to school, the student must present a written valid explanation of the absence signed by the sponsor. (Falsification of sponsor signature will result in an automatic 3-day suspension that cannot be appealed)
- A physician must certify absences for illness of more than three days. The school nurse may evaluate the student the morning of his/her return before releasing the student to the first class. Failure to submit the proper notes for absences will be considered truancy.
- Regardless of the reason for absence, students are responsible for all missed schoolwork and assignments.
- Truancy of any kind will result in an automatic Saturday detention. Repeat offenders will be subject to out of school suspension.
- Failure to report to a detention will result in an Out-of-School suspension.
- Repeated truant offenders may also be required to have “Parental Shadowing” from 1- 5 days.
- All students have up to two days upon return to school after an absence to make up work from an excused absence. That is, if a student does not bring their excuse the day they return, it will be required the following day or truancy consequences will result.
- Students with unexcused absences will receive zero credit for exams or worked missed.
- In order to participate in an extracurricular activity, a student must be present at school from the beginning of the day on which the activity takes place. Unless the principal or assistant principal grants a specific written waiver, students with partial absences will not be allowed to participate in that day’s extracurricular activity.
- It is exclusively the responsibility of the student to seek all make up work after an absence, not the teachers’ duty. Once the period to get make up work has expired teachers are not obligated to provide students the chance to make up work, and can give them zero credit for the work missed.
Early Dismissal
Sponsor requests for early dismissal must be presented in writing. No early dismissals will be granted over the phone.
- The sponsor picking up student must come to the office and present a photo ID.
- No student will be released to someone other than the sponsor or parent/guardian or emergency contact person on file.
Withdrawal from School
Students about to withdraw from school should:
- Present to the Guidance office a written notice from their sponsor of the intent to withdraw, or a copy of the official PCS orders. This must be done at least three weeks ahead of the withdrawal date. An official AHS withdrawal form must also be completed on the student’s last full day of school.
- Steps students will take at withdrawal time:
- a. Request a copy of transcript, if needed, from the Guidance Office.
- b. Inform all of student’s teachers of withdrawal date.
- c. On the date of withdrawal, sponsor/parent will come to school and personally obtain official withdrawal from the Guidance Office.
- d. For clearance, take the form to each teacher during the day. This includes all activity sponsors, librarian, nurse, coaches, cafeteria, school pictures, and attendance officer (lock).
- e. At the end of the day, the student will take the completed withdrawal form to the Guidance Office. If requested in advance, the parents can receive interim grades to take with them. Note: Sponsors must pay for books, lunch fees and any other debt before final clearance and records are given.
- Unofficial copies of student’s records are available to the sponsor upon written request. The receiving school or university must request official transcripts.
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